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Lunar New Year and “ONI” Festival 2020 in Kinugawa-onsen

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The Chinese New Year will be celebrated in Kinugawa-Onsen too. On February 1 and 2, visitors can experience this event and also Setsubun, the change of season. Traditional japanese culture and shows will be performed, such as music, drums, etc.
Also, there will be a stamp rally this year: the Kaiun Oni Atsume Stamp Rally (Ogre Stamp Rally for Good Luck). During this rally, participants will be able to meet Oni (ogre) originated from Kinugawa onsen and pray for good luck in the new year, and the first 200 people who collect all the stamps will receive the gift.

When? February 1 (Sat) and 2 (Sun), 2020
What time? 10am to 3pm
Where? Kinugawa, at the square in front of Kinugawa-onsen Station

Nikko Soba Matsuri

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Soba noodles are made of buckwheat flour, as thick as spaghetti, and prepared in various hot and cold dishes.
Fall is a perfect season to eat them, so come and join the Nikko Soba Festival 2019!
Visitors will be able to enjoy street stands offering soba and Nikko’s local products, as well as performance of traditional local arts.
There will be a free shuttle service from JR and Tobu Nikko stations, JR Imaichi station and other stops in between.

Date? November 15 (Friday) to November 17 (Sunday)
Time? 10 am – 3 pm
Where? Nikko Daiya River Park Auto Campsite and Information Area

Ryuou Festival

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This Summer festival consists of solemn Shinto rituals on the Ryuokyo Valley, along with vibrant mikoshi (portable shrine) parade and fireworks in the Kinugawa – Kawaji Onsen.

“Onna-taru-mikoshi” (Sake barrels carried exclusively by women) is the start of Ryuou Festival, with a fascinating atmosphere.

It brings one of the greatest summer spectacles to the area, so don’t miss it!

Where? Kinugawa Onsen

When? July 26 (Fri) and 27 (Sat) from 18:00 to 22:00

Reitaisai at Toshogu Shrine

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Today, the Reitaisai was held at Toshogu Shrine. At 11:15am the Portable Shrine Procession (Mikoshi togyo sai) started. It is referred to as the procession of 1,000 Samurai and it included over 1,200 attendants divided into 53 categories, including warriors in armor who escorted the portable shrines to the Sojourn Hall.

Also, special food offerings were made, and other activities such as Sacred Artistic Rites performed by Eight Shrine Maidens and incantations read by the Chief Priest were performed.

The ceremony ended when the procession returned to Toshogu Shrine.

Did you miss it? You can see it again on October 17th, but in the meantime here are some picture we took today.



Grand Festival at Toshogu Shrine

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The Reitaisai (Grand Festival) will be held next May 17 and 18 at Toshogu Shrine, so you shouldn’t miss it if you are in the area!

From 10 in the morning on May 17, a ceremony is held at the shrine in the presence of the head of the Tokugawa family, Sanshikai officials, and other dignitaries and guests.

From 1pm, archery on horseback is be performed in a special area, and in the evening three portable shrines are brought to Futarasan Shrine and the Yoinari-sai (Evening Arrival Ceremony) is conducted by priests from both shrines.

On May 18, the Portable Shrine Procession (Mikoshi togyo sai) will start at 11am. It is referred to as the procession of 1,000 Samurai and it includes over 1,200 attendants divided into 53 categories, including warriors in armor who will escort the portable shrines to the Sojourn Hall.

Also, special food offerings will be made, and other activities such as Sacred Artistic Rites performed by Eight Shrine Maidens and incantations read by the Chief Priest will be performed.

The ceremony will end when the procession returns to Toshogu Shrine.